1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

The proposed legislation aiming to restrict access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth goes against the recommendations of major medical associations and risks causing significant harm. These evidence-based treatments, when provided in accordance with established standards of care, have been shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and suicidality among transgender individuals. Denying access to this vital care can have devastating consequences on the mental health and well-being of an already vulnerable population. Furthermore, criminalizing healthcare providers who follow professional guidelines and threatening parents with abuse charges for supporting their children is an unethical overreach that undermines medical autonomy and parental rights. Intersex children deserve the same access to appropriate care without discrimination. I urge you to reconsider this harmful legislation and instead prioritize policies that protect the health and wellbeing of all youth, based on scientific consensus and human rights principles. Access to gender-affirming care can be life-saving, and transgender youth deserve to receive the care they need to live authentically.